Frequently Asked Questions
The Chimney Guys are here to answer all your questions. If you have any other questions, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
How often should I have my fireplace and chimney cleaned?
It is recommended to have your woodburning fireplace and chimney cleaned once per year, usually during your basic annual inspection.
Why do I need to clean my fireplace and chimney so often?
Not having your chimney cleaned regularly could cause a serious danger to you and your family. Every time you burn a fire, creosote builds up on the chimney walls. Creosote can be flammable and cause a chimney fire. The fire could burn your house down, or sometimes you can have a small fire inside your chimney and not even know it. During a chimney fire, clay tiles can crack and create holes for flames and CO2 to seep into the walls of your home. When we clean a chimney, we typically do an inspection to check for structural damage.
I'm getting a draft from my fireplace. What can I do?
We can install a Chimalator, also known as a top mount damper cap. This seals the top of the chimney very tightly, stopping all drafts, making your home more efficient. Please see caps and dampers for more information.
What are Chimney Swifts?
The Chimney Swift is a medium-sized, sooty gray bird with long, slender wings and short legs. It is incapable of perching and can only cling vertically. They nest almost exclusively in chimneys. Many people will mistake them for a swallow or a bat. A nest is usually no larger than a softball and is attached to the wall of a chimney. The Chimney Swift is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Neither birds nor nests can be removed from chimneys without a federally issued permit. Swifts are very noisy and you will hear a lot of screeching from them and their young, but in time they will leave. Once they have left, we are able to come out and install a cap for you.